Take aim!

[Moby_Dick]

Last weekend my girlfriend performed in a small show put on by her dance club. Today, when she returned from her first dance class since the show, she told me that someone had suggested that they start practising the routine for next year's show.

“Good idea”, said I, “it will give you something to aim at.” But after a moment’s reflexion I added, “Or should that be aim for?”

After some discussion we decided that there is a slight difference of meaning: when we use “aim for”, we imply that there is a fair chance that we will fail to achieve our objective. Whereas when we use “aim at”, that implies that we are almost certain to succeed. Do you agree?

I am aiming to improve my English.

[SusanB]

I don't think I see the same distinction. If I had to make a choice between the two, I would probably say the reverse! However, this is based only on my own intuition. I'm sure those with many more books, much more knowledge and time, will be able to be more precise.

[Twoddle]

I suppose that if one goes back to the original idea of aiming - bows and arrows, and spears - one would aim them at the target. The more modern notion of aiming oneself - to achieve a goal of some kind - perhaps lends itself more readily to aiming for the end result.

Good to have you with us again, Moby.

[Vadim]

Jun 19, 2008 21:09:18 GMT Moby_Dick said:

Last weekend my girlfriend performed in a small show put on by her dance club. Today, when she returned from her first dance class since the show, she told me that someone had suggested that they start practising the routine for next year's show.

“Good idea”, said I, “it will give you something to aim at.” But after a moment’s reflexion I added, “Or should that be aim for?”

After some discussion we decided that there is a slight difference of meaning: when we use “aim for”, we imply that there is a fair chance that we will fail to achieve our objective. Whereas when we use “aim at”, that implies that we are almost certain to succeed. Do you agree?

I am aiming to improve my English.

Welcome to the new board, Moby.

I too, draw the same distinction as Susan. With reference to Twoddle's exceptional reply ;D, If I am aiming AT something, it seems to me as though I am trying to get directly to that place (like the target). If I am aiming FOR, however, I see this as taking longer and the road may be winding!

As for the actual sense, they are probably exactly the same

[Dave M]

I think there is a subtle difference - so subtle that most speakers won't be aware of it - but to me it's not about time or routes or probability. It's about what we mean by "aim".

If we mean "point at, with the intention of hitting", then it's aim at.
If we mean "strive towards", then it's aim for.

Now, if we talk about our intentions to have a good outcome in next year's show, we can choose either version: the difference just indicates which of the two mental concepts is being used.

[Gabriel-Ernest]

I’m not sure the distinction is between achieving or perhaps not achieving, or a circumnavigational route. Might I suggest the following?

It will give you something to aim at. They have a cut-off point (next year’s show) by which time the dance routine must be absolutely perfect.
It will give you something to aim for. To have the dance routine absolutely perfect for next year’s show.

G-E.

[Dave M]

Yes - that marries up with what I said, I think, G-E. My description dealt with the two varieties of verb; yours deals with the circumstance in which we'd use each.

[Tone]

I feel that one "aims at" a specific physical target, whilst one "aims for" some theoretical accomplishment.

I would "aim at" the big thing with rings on it were I still a toxophilite.
But I would "aim for" the satisfaction of a job well done (when I got a gold).

Tone

[Dave M]

That, too, marries up, doesn't it, Tone: if it's not physical, you can't poiint at it.

[Tone]

>you can't poiint at it.<

It's rude to poiint!

Tone

[Moby_Dick]

I feel that one "aims at" a specific physical target, whilst one "aims for" some theoretical accomplishment.

Is this true?

I'm sure that have often seen phrases such as "Brazil are aiming at the chamionship". (Although, admittedly, Google only gave a handful of hits for this construction.) On the other hand we also see "England are aiming for a draw".

I see no one took the bait about the "aim to" construction. I think all three of these constructions mean that I am striving for something,

I am aiming to perfect my English.
I am aiming at perfecting my English.
I am aiming for perfection.

But do they all mean exactly the same thing?

[Geoff]

Jun 23, 2008 20:28:56 GMT Moby_Dick said:

I am aiming to perfect my English.
I am aiming at perfecting my English.
I am aiming for perfection.

But do they all mean exactly the same thing?

Possibly, but only if the third example makes some reference to English, too: I am aiming for perfection in my English.